Cook in Tuscany, do as the Tuscans do

A guide to looking like a local!

Linda Meyers and her husband George run tours in Tuscany based around food – Cook in Tuscany: Cook – Eat – Play. Here Linda writes about how to look like a local when in Tuscany.

1. Don’t ask for parmesan cheese to put on top of your pasta. That’s an American thing!

2. Tiramisu is not dessert – it was invented in Tuscany in the 1960’s to give an afternoon “pick me up” to café guests. Although its origin is Tuscan, it became extremely popular in America in the 80’s. Tuscan’s and all Italian’s for that matter would not normally have a sweet dessert after a meal. But, they would have cheese and fruit after a meal.

3. While in Tuscany don’t plan on having an early dinner. No matter how hungry you are! Dinner is served between 7:00pm and 10:00pm nightly. Reservations are required in small local eateries.Dinner is served!

4. There will be no butter on your bread! Or oil for that matter! Bread is sometimes offered with a touch of house-made olive oil, but asking for butter would be considered rude.

5. “Il conto, per favore” or “Bill, please” The bill will not be delivered to your table until you personally ask your waiter to bring it. Italians enjoy long meals and restaurants do not want to rush you through a meal. So take you time enjoy another glass of wine.

6. Everyone is charged “coperto.” It is simply a service charge for table service and is usually a few euros per person or table—depending on the restaurant.

7. Cash! Be sure to have some euros in your pocket for small purchases at local shops. Large stores readily accept major credit cards, but local ones often prefer cash on small purchases. Contact your local bank before you head to Tuscany and order euros at the best exchange rate, or stop by an ATM at the airport before heading to your hotel, train or location.

8. Taxis are not easy to hail in Tuscany because the villages are small and really don’t have taxi services. Large cities do have taxis, but are hard to hail from the street. Go to a taxi station, or call ahead. Large hotels can also help you with transportation needs.

Be sure to discuss price before you start your journey in a taxi
Make sure the fare meter is on when you enter your taxi

9. Afternoons are for relaxing! Many shops will be closed in the afternoon around 1PM to 4PM and you will find locals having caffé and enjoying conversation in local piazzas.

10. You won’t see spaghetti and meatballs (polpette) on the menu. Meatballs are more often served as a main course or in soups and never served with pasta. Italian immigrants made spaghetti and meatballs popular when they could now afford meat in the 1880’s America.

11. Don’t be surprised if you ask for a Latte’ and you get warm milk.

12. Slow down and be present! Tuscany is a place of being present. Sit and enjoy the view, have a caffe’ or gelato every afternoon, smile, take a walk and soak in the sights of Tuscany. It’s all about the experience in Tuscany so slow down and enjoy all it has to offer!

“Il dolce far niente” The sweetness of doing nothing

Balance is the Key to a Great Vacation

How do you Choose a Vacation? Balance and what it Means to us! Linda Meyers from Cook in Tuscany writes about why balance is the key to a great vacation. Some tours have you on a bus for hours with only a few stops to see the sights or experience an activity. Some offer one […]

Comments

Marta Braun says

March 28, 2016 at 9:37 pm

How can you possibly be so wrong? Asking for Parmesan is normal, except when it’s automatically delivered as it is most times….and not at all ‘an American thing.” You might want to tell your readers about the difference between Parmesan on some pastas and not others (not with fish, for example). But seriously, where do you get your ideas? Italians love their ‘dolce’ – desserts – and that includes Tiramisu. But really…. I’ve lived here for 40 years and have never heard of the things you’re claiming. And y’know what? Any Italian who would want butter on his or her bread would simply ask for it. Not the norm, I grant you, but in this country, not ever refused, either – nor is any other request.
- Rosemary Neave says
  
  March 29, 2016 at 11:00 pm
  
  thanks Marta – I guess we all have different experiences of a country and it’s food 🙂